Veronica Rose St. Onge, 16

Veronica Rose St. Onge was born to Robert St. Onge and Debby St. Onge on Aug. 28 of 2004. She was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA) on Feb. 2 of 2005, which she fought valiantly every day of her life. On Oct. 17, 2020, after completing her Honor Walk, and surrounded by her family, she danced through the gates of heaven.

Veronica was a gift from heaven, and we took great pride in being selected to guide her incredible life journey. Veronica had never uttered a single sentence, yet spoke volumes with her eyes and expressions. She had limited movement, yet was able to move people to tears just by her presence. She was restricted in what she could do, yet left an enormous impact on all who knew and loved her.

Veronica had a thirst for travel and adventure. In her 16 years, Veronica traveled through all 48 lower states. She lived a life most only dream of. She saw four Broadway shows. She visited the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. She visited countless national parks across the country, hiking in Zion, watching the sunset over the Grand Canyon, seeing the falls in Yosemite, being awestruck by the Redwoods, riding on an airboat in the Everglades, and looking for wildlife in her beloved Glacier Park, to name a few. She went spelunking in the Wind Cave and Carlsbad Caverns. She got trapped by a herd of buffalo in South Dakota. She visited Morgan’s Wonderland, Give Kids the World Village, Disneyworld three times, and Disneyland four. She visited the Smithsonian, Natural History Museums, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Meow Wolf, Graceland, as well as countless attractions and events across the country. She loved to ride on her uncle’s boat on Swan Lake — the faster the better. She even rode on an innertube behind the boat once. Her mom still hasn’t recovered from that one. Veronica had the most epic birthday party every year, and always bedazzled with her Halloween costumes. She lived her 16 years with a ferocity for loving life.

Veronica had a beautiful and kind soul. She loved her dog Bo, who was her companion and protector. She enjoyed being an Arizona snowbird, where she got to take Bo for a walk every day in the winter. She had a wicked sense of humor. Veronica was intelligent, tenacious and creative. She was inquisitive, and loved to learn new things. She attended school in Bigfork, and had friends there as well as all across the country. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her presence on this earth was a blessing beyond description. Veronica defined what true love means. The hole she left in the hearts of those who loved her can never be filled.

Veronica leaves behind her mom, Debby, and her dad, Bob. She is survived by her grandparents, Don Crosswhite of Swan Lake, and Ron and Caroline St. Onge of Ferndale; her aunt, Karen Scullion; uncles and aunts, Dave and Jennifer Crosswhite, DeAnna and Pat Eisenman, Brian and Laura St. Onge and Kevin St. Onge; great-aunts and –uncles, Ron and Connie Brown and Ed and Ginger St. Onge; and cousins, Tristan, Taylor and Travis, Jason, Becca, Baylee, Courtney, Carrie, Jessica, Skyler, Shane, Sheena and Carson.

Veronica was preceded in death by her grandma, Geri Crosswhite; great-aunt, Patti Mackie; and great-uncles, George Mackie, John Brown and Dick Brown.

Veronica was able to enhance the lives of at least three people through organ donation. She also was able to help advance research and treatment for others with spinal muscular atrophy.

A special thank you to Dr. Kathryn Swoboda, Dr. Lynn Dykstra and Dr. Wallace Wilder, as well as the amazing doctors, nurses and staff of Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Due to COVID concerns, a celebration of Veronica’s amazing life will be held the summer of 2021.

“When the links of life are broken and a child has to part, there is nothing that will ever heal a parent’s broken heart.”